Dance Pick: Victoria Marks' Not About Iraq

The title may be Not About Iraq, but choreographer Victoria Marks’ brilliant skewering of George W. Bush’s military ambitions is definitely about that country and its woes — about the abasement of prisoners, the quagmire engulfing soldiers and civilians alike, and especially the way official statements, however mendacious, eventually seem true with sufficient repetition. Since she premiered it several years ago, Marks has continued to polish this terpsichorean polemic on the role of artists in politically troubled times. Dappled with humor and illustrated by a devoted crew (including top-flight dancers Taisha Paggett, Maria Gillespie and Noellie Bordelet, and Marks as narrator), the piece drew critical praise after performances in New York and Washington, D.C., earlier this year. In light of its success and the current world economic meltdown, Marks might consider Not About the Economy as a sequel. For now, local audiences have another chance to see Not About Iraq as it kicks off the dance series at Cal State Long Beach. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St, Long Beach.; Thurs.-Fri., Oct. 16-17, 8 p.m.; $25. (562) 985-7000 or www.CarpenterArts.org.